On the application of an eligible recipient, the Secretary may make grants to pay the costs of economic development planning and the administrative expenses of organizations that carry out the planning.

(b) Planning processPlanning assisted under this subchapter shall be a continuous process involving public officials and private citizens in—

(1)

analyzing local economies;

(2)

defining economic development goals;

(3)

determining project opportunities; and

(4)

formulating and implementing an economic development program that includes systematic efforts to reduce unemployment and increase incomes.

(c) Use of planning assistance

Planning assistance under this subchapter shall be used in conjunction with any other available Federal planning assistance to ensure adequate and effective planning and economical use of funds.

(d) State plans

(1) Development

Any State plan developed with assistance under this section shall be developed, to the maximum extent practicable, cooperatively by the State, political subdivisions of the State, and the economic development districts located wholly or partially in the State.

(2) Comprehensive economic development strategy

As a condition of receipt of assistance for a State plan under this subsection, the State shall have or develop a comprehensive economic development strategy.

(3) Coordination

Before providing assistance for a State plan under this section, the Secretary shall consider the extent to which the State will consider local and economic development district plans.

(4) Comprehensive planning processAny overall State economic development planning assisted under this section shall be a part of a comprehensive planning process that shall consider the provision of public works to—

(A)

promote economic development and opportunity;

(B)

foster effective transportation access;

(C)

enhance and protect the environment;

(D)

assist in carrying out the workforce investment strategy of a State;

(E)

promote the use of technology in economic development, including access to high-speed telecommunications; and

(F)

balance resources through the sound management of physical development.

(5) Report to Secretary

Each State that receives assistance for the development of a plan under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an annual report on the planning process assisted under this subsection.

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 108–373, § 201(2), added par. (3) and struck out heading and text of former par. (3). Text read as follows: “On completion of a State plan developed with assistance under this section, the State shall—

“(A) certify to the Secretary that, in the development of the State plan, local and economic development district plans were considered and, to the maximum extent practicable, the State plan is consistent with the local and economic development district plans; and

“(B) identify any inconsistencies between the State plan and the local and economic development district plans and provide a justification for each inconsistency.”